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MEET THE TEAM: VICKI WILKINSON

Find out more about our Trusts, Relationships and Research Manager, Vicki.

Tell us a bit about your job at Prevent Breast Cancer.

I am the Trusts, Relationships and Research Manager at Prevent Breast Cancer. This means that I write funding applications to trusts and other organisations and provide support to our corporate fundraisers. The research aspect of my job involves coordinating our grant-making programme for the studies we fund, including our applications and reporting processes.

What makes you so passionate about the charity?

Working for a non-profit is important to me and cancer research is a cause close to my heart – both of my parents have overcome cancer in the past few years. As breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, so many people are affected by this life-changing illness every single day. I also have another personal connection to the cause because unfortunately I never got to meet my paternal grandmother – she sadly died of breast cancer when she was in her mid 30s.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

Learning about the medical research that our charity funds into the prediction and prevention of the disease was a new area for me, and one I find incredibly interesting. I also love that every day is different – because there are so many facets to both my job and day-to-day life in the PBC office, work is certainly never boring! It’s a lovely atmosphere as well, all of the staff are very supportive and we have a laugh together.

Has there been any particular highlight?

My biggest highlight was going to the Thank You evening as I got to meet many of our inspiring volunteers and supporters and hear their stories. It was incredibly moving to see Gabs Gratrix speak about her treatment and their upcoming tour to raise funds for the charity.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

I’m inspired by anyone who has braved something as life-changing as breast cancer and has managed to come through it with a positive attitude and continued zest for live. Working here, I have been lucky enough to meet many people who have come through this and am in total awe every day.

If you weren’t in this job, what might you be doing?

One of my first working experiences was volunteering as a Park Ranger at a local nature reserve, so maybe something like that if I had a bit more patience! History is an interest of mine as well so maybe I would have found myself working in antiques or archaeology.

What do you like doing outside of work?

I love being outside in nature and identifying wildlife, so going for long walks or hikes are my ideal weekend activity when the weather isn’t too horrible. Photography is something else that I’m keen to develop, and lots of reading as well. I’m also a huge geek, so you will often find me playing video games or watching nerdy cult TV shows like Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty or Parks and Recreation.

Who would be your five dream dinner party guests?

Antony and Cleopatra – two for one! They could tell me all about both ancient Rome and Egypt

Charles II – apparently he loved a party

Abraham Lincoln – highly intelligent and could impart some wisdom onto us all

Frida Kahlo – she seemed like a very interesting person to chat to

I suppose we’d also need some kind of translator in this scenario!

What’s on the top of your bucket list?

It’s hard to choose one, but it would definitely involve travel, travel and more travel!

What’s your claim to fame?

I wish I had one! Other than having the pleasure of meeting our charity patron Sally Dynevor at an event recently, I think my only claim to fame is that Adrian Edmonson and William Wilberforce both went to my school.